Rail-joint.



C. B. COUNTS.

RAIL JOINT.

APPLICATION mu) SEPT- 2. 1916.

wuwwtot TED STATES PATENT OFFICE.

CHARLES B. COUNTS, F HAMPTON, ARKANSAS, ASSIGNOR 0F ONE-HALF TO WALTER B.

WOOLDRIDGE, OF HAMPTON, ARKANSAS.

RAIL-JOINT.

Specification of Letters Patent.

Patented Dec. 5, 1916.

I citizen of the United States, residing at Hampton, in the county of Calhoun and State of Arkansas, have invented certain new and useful Improvements in Rail- J oints. of which the following is a specification, reference being had to the accompanying drawings.

This invention relates to certain improvements in rail joints and has relation more particularly to a joint of a scarf type; and it is an object of the invention to provide novel and improved means whereby the meeting ends of the rail may be effectively maintained in assembled relation without the necessity of fish plates or the like and whereby pounding is Substantially entirely' eliminated as the rolling stock passes over the joint.

The invention consists in the details of construction and in the combination and arrangement of the several partsof my improved rail joint whereby certain important advantages are attained 'and the device is rendered simpler, less expensive and otherwise more convenient and advantageous for use, all as will be hereinafter more fully set forth.

The novel feature of the invention will hereinafter be definitely claimed.

In order that my invention may be the better understood, I will now proceed to describe the same with reference to the accompanying drawings, wherein Figure 1 is a view in top plan illustrating a rail joint constructed in accordance with an embodiment of my invention; Fig. 2 is a view partly in side elevation and partly in section illustrating my improved joint as herein embodied; and Fig. 3 is a vertical sectional view taken through the joint as herein disclosed.

As disclosed in the accompanying drawings, 11 denote the meeting ends of rails and having their web portions 2 of increased thickness, and the meeting end of one of the rails is provided with the verti- Cally disposed recess 3 open at the top and outer end and extending upwardly from the flange portion of the rail. The opposite side walls of the recess 3 at substantially midway their height are provided with the opposed grooves or channels 4 arranged longitudinally of the rail and with the groove or channel at the outer side of the rail of greater width than the second groove.

The second meeting end is provided with the forwardly directed extension 5 adapted to be snugly received within the recess 3 and is provided with the longitudinally disposed beads 6 which are accommodated within the grooves or channels 4.

The outer side wall of the recess 3 and the opposed face of the extension 5, when the meeting ends are in assembled relation, are provided with the vertically disposed grooves or channels 7 registering one with the other to receive the locking key 8 which snugly fits therein and effectively serves to hold the meeting ends of the rail against separation. It is to be observed that this locking action is further facilitated in view of the fact that the groove 7 in the side face of the extension 5 intersects the bead 6 disposed therealong.

The key 8 terminates slightly below the. tread surface of the rails and is provided with the opening 1) to facilitate its withdrawal from applied position when the requirements of practice may so dictate.

It is to be noted that the upper or tread surface of the extension 5 is flush with the meeting end of the second rail whereby pounding of the rolling stock as it passes over the joint is substantially entirely eliminated.

From the foregoing description, it is thought to be obvious that a rail joint constructed in accordance with my invention is of an extremely simple and comparatively inexpensive nature and is particularly well adapted for use by reason of the convenience and facility with which it may be assembled. and it will also be obvious that my invention is susceptible of some change and modification without material departure from the principles and spirit thereof and for this reason I do not wish to be understood as limiting myself to the precise arrangement and formation of the several parts herein shown in carrying out my invention in prac tice, except as hereinafter claimed.

I claim:

1. A rail joint including the meeting ends of rails, one of said ends being provided with a vertically disposed recess extending over the flange portion thereof and open at its top and outer end and provided with longitudinally disposed channels in its side walls, an extension carried by the second meeting end. and snugly fitting within the recess of the first named meeting end, said extension being provided at its opposite sides with beads fitting within the channels of the first named meeting end, a side wall of the recess and the opposed face of the extension being provided with vertically directed grooves adapted to register, and a key insertible within said last named grooves when in register.

, 2. A rail joint including the meeting ends of rails, one of said ends being provided with a vertically disposed recess extending over the flange portion thereof and open at its top and outer end and provided with longitudinally disposed channels in its side walls, an extension carried by the second meeting end and snugly fitting within the recess of the first named meeting end, said extension being provided at its opposite sides with beads fitting within the channels of the firstnamed meeting end, a side wall of the recess and the opposed face of the extension being provided with vertically directed grooves adapted to register, and a key insertible within said last named grooves when in register, one of the channels and its coacting bead being of greater width than the other.

l. Arail oint including the meeting ends of rails, one of said ends being provided with a vertically disposed recess extending over the fiange portion thereof and 'open at its top and outer end and provided with longitudinally disposed channels in its side walls, an extension carried by the second meeting end and snugly fitting within the recess of the first named meeting end, saidextension being provided at its opposite sides with beads fitting within the channels of the first named meeting end, a side wall of the recess and the opposed face of the extension being provided with vertically directed grooves adapted to register, and a key insertible within said last named grooves when in register, said key being provided with an opening to facilitate its removal. 4

In testimony whereof I hereunto aflix my signature in the presence of two witnesses.

Copies of this patent may be obtained for five cents each, by addressing the Commissioner 01 Batentsi Washington, D. G.

CHARLES B. COUNTS. 

